As a mom of 3 children with type 1 diabetes I have found blogging about our life to be a way to share our ups and downs and as a way to really connect with other families that are going through the same thing we are. So feel free to follow me and our families journey. Pump Wear a place where children and adults can find fun creative ways to wear an insulin pump. A full line of diabetes cases,and pump paks that make wearing and insulin pump fun.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Did you ever notice that when things happen they usually happen all at once. We have so many changes happening here that it really is amazing. First in front of our house they are redoing the park and tennis courts to a newer and improved regulation size, redoing our road and sidewalks, we literally cannot go out side our front yard due to the ongoing construction. They are working really hard and the park and road should be ready for September.

To get to our home you have to come on to the island it’s called Van Schaick Island and the bridge to get here has been being redone also, so we have to come into the island from the other side. The new bridge is looking really good and should be ready this September.

Then in the mist of all this we had Patrick graduate from High School and in 3 weeks (so soon) we will be packing him up to go to college. Adam has ventured out on his own (for the 2nd time) with a group of friends leaving yet another room empty. Come September it will be just Mark, Nikki and I and a new bridge a new park and a new road.

After a summer so full of noise, activity and fun it will be interesting adjusting to the quiet of the street and the house.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

I just had to take a moment and blog about a recent "low blood" sugar that we had when we were in Myrtle Beach. Nikki was getting ready to go on a ride, while in line she felt low and tested her blood sugar she was 60. She proceeded to pull out her container of "Dex 4 bits" and started to eat them, all of her friends wanted to try them and guess what they all loved them. Nikki really felt great about sharing this treat with her friends while also bringing up her low blood sugar.

Some times I forget that it's hard to stop having fun to treat a low, she really wanted to go on the ride with everyone else yet we had to treat this low. There have been many times where I have had to pull her out of line or take her out of a game to treat the low, being able to treat her low and continue on with her friends really made a difference.

Remember they are kids first and the more we can do to make their lives normal the happier we all our. Having fast acting sugars that taste good and work quickly are essential in keeping our kids happy and healthy.

Just had to share this, here is the link to Dex 4 "bits". I am sure that everyone has their favorite for treating lows feel free to share!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Heres something Important for everyone to know if you have a child reaching the age of 18 and adult hood. Once they turn 18 they are considered and an adult and by law you have to have this young adults permission to get information about their health care and school records.

What this means is that as your son or daughter ventures off to college or the work world you will not be able to help them order medical supplies, talk with their doctors, get prescriptions filled or assist them in a medical emergency unless you have written permission giving you access to do so. You will not be able to get information about their grades and school life unless they allow you that access. You will of course still be responsible for this young adult, have to paid all of their bills and meet all of their needs. You just don’t have the ability to know what is going on behind the scenes unless they sign off. Yes parents you get to pay for college you just don’t get to know if they are actually going to class or passing.

Here’s how to stay in the loop! Have your child sign the forms allowing you access to school records. What if they don’t want to sign? I don’t want to pay, in our house it is as simple as that. Yes you have the right to privacy but when I am paying the bill out of respect you will give me access to know what the grades are.

Health care is another matter entirely you need to have written permission to talk with doctors, I have my son’s give a letter to their doctors offices and I also have a letter on hand so that in case of an emergency I can prove that it’s ok for them to talk with me.

I have been blessed that my sons have freely given us access to school and medical, however I have seen horror stories of young adults that have not signed for parents to access this information and parents not knowing their child has not gone to class for an entire semester yet they were responsible for the bill. I have also seen parents try to assist their young adults with insurance information only to be told that they don’t have the right to that information.

It’s Hipaa at it’s finest, and although I agree with this law, I don’t think it should be in effect till our children our out of school.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 (P.L.104-191) [HIPAA] was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1996. It was originally sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kan.). ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIPAA

Friday, July 2, 2010

This weekend celebrates one of my dearest and best friend’s birthday. Dawn will celebrate her 50th birthday on July 4th. Who would have thought that over 22 years ago after meeting at an aerobic class that we would still be going strong! I even introduced Dawn to her husband at my son’s birthday party and they will celebrate 10 years of marriage this year. We have been together through all of my children's diabetes issues, and Dawn's Breast Cancer and through all of this have built a company and stayed friends, growing stronger as we go. Our birthday’s are exactly 1 month apart (mine was June 4th). (yes I am 1 month older) I can not describe how wonderful a friend Dawn is, she’s the person you know will always be there for you, she’s the one you know you can call at 2:00 a.m.just because. She if fierce in her protection of me and my family and will sacrifice her last dime to help a friend. Dawn is the friend that everyone wishes they had and I am so happy to call mine.

August 1st is friendship day and I thought this would be the perfect time to let our best friends know what they mean to us. I found some wonderful quotes that I think truly fit Dawn when I think of her. As I wish Dawn a very happy birthday I hope all of you also have the opportunity to reach out and send one of these quotes or a hug to your best friends! Happy Birthday Dawn, Thanks for making me a better person and for being there through everything! Love ya, these quotes say it all hugs!

Quotes That Remind Me of My Best Friend Dawn:

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out. ~Grace Pulpi

The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had. ~Author Unknown

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. ~Oprah Winfrey

Friends are relatives you make for yourself. ~Eustache Deschamps

A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails. ~Donna Roberts

A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked. ~Author Unknown